‘There has never been a better time to pursue a career as an HVAC technician’

January 29, 2018

Job seekers interested in entering the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) industry may never have a more affordable opportunity to obtain the training necessary for careers in this fast-growing industry.

Blinn College will offer its next HVAC technician course beginning Wednesday, Feb. 14. Students who are at least 18 years of age, eligible to work in the United States, and, if male, registered with Selective Service, are eligible for a grant that cuts the price of the course in half from $1,800 to $900. College officials recommend early registration, as the class size is limited to the first 18 enrollees.

“There has never been a better time to pursue a career as an HVAC technician,” said Ken Dupre, Director of Technical and Community Programs.

This hands-on, 20-week course includes an introduction to the construction industry, basic electricity for HVAC, refrigeration principles, refrigerants, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recovery certification preparation. The course meets from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at The Texas A&M University System’s RELLIS Campus.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median salary of $45,910 per year, or $22.07 per hour. Between 2016 and 2026, demand for highly trained industry professionals will increase 15 percent, creating an additional 49,100 jobs.

The course follows National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum. This nationally recognized curriculum was developed with the cooperation of more than 125 construction CEOs, trade association officials, and academic leaders. Students who complete these courses will earn the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 10-Hour Construction Certificate; the NCCER Core Construction Certificate; the NCCER HVAC Level I Certificate; and the Blinn College Certificate of Completion.

Course scholarships are made possible through a $195,000 Building and Construction Trades Grant awarded by the Texas Workforce Commission.